The Board Connection

Investing in public education

October 31, 2019

Last week, the provincial government released its budget. It will take some time for us to unpack what the impact will be for Edmonton Public Schools. The Board of Trustees will be looking to ensure our province continues to invest in public education.

As Trustees, and as a school division, we care about every one of our 105,000 students. We will advocate tirelessly on their behalf to ensure they have great teachers, great learning spaces, and the tools and support they need to be successful. We do this because public education matters.

I say that not only as a trustee, but as a mother with two children in Edmonton public schools. I’m passionate about the vital role public education plays in bringing about positive social change. That’s why I ran to be a school board trustee in the first place. And it’s why, after almost two years on the Board of Trustees, I put my name forward to take on the role of Board Chair earlier this year.

Public education transforms communities for the better. It’s the best investment we can make as a society. Whether you have children or not, and whether those children are school-aged, every Albertan benefits from public education.

Public schools teach more than reading, writing and arithmetic. Students learn to be competent, contributing citizens. They gain skills that prepare them for a rapidly changing future.

Public schools welcome everyone, so students learn to share the world with people who look, live or think differently from them. As a resident of Ward D for more than 10 years, I know how important this is. I live in and represent one of the most economically and ethnically diverse parts of the city. Providing safe, welcoming and inclusive learning spaces for every child, regardless of their background or ability, is key to uniting us as a community.

Edmonton Public Schools is the fastest growing school district in Alberta. Families choose us because they know every student gets a high-quality education, while having a choice of programs that best meet their individual needs, interests and abilities. This choice gets to the core of public education: making sure every student is treated as an individual who has what they need to succeed.

Because when students succeed, we all benefit.